“One always wonders what they will do in times of crisis. The only thing I can think about is that first month when I was a lone Duchess all those years ago.” Lady Maribelle had given the chair to Cora. She was leaning against a bookshelf, facing the door.
“None of these defenses existed. I reined over bards and tinkerers. The city was known only for theater. Contraptions. I was the pretty little queen of a charming distraction. Barely older than you.”
“I know, Mother.”
Maribelle looked at her daughter. Cora’s hand was on the lever. She could hear bombs and screaming. They neared.
“The Ellium would only train the brightest, the most attractive. Your father let them live here, as his father had before him. But I saw potential. I said ‘Open the schools to all, and I will open my coffers to you.’” Maribelle closed her eyes, remembering the old master’s face when she had said that.
“You always told me that there was nothing more valuable than education.”
Maribelle opened her eyes and looked at her daughter. Even over the armor, she had a journal strapped to her belt. “I hope you don’t think I meant yours. The Ellium offered education to any who wanted it. In ten years, I had academies of my own. A populace capable of educating itself.”
“I don’t think many books are going to make it, Mother.”
“The books don’t matter. The labs only matter if they fall into the wrong hands.” She looked at her hands. Steady. “Did the mushrooms get out?”
“We sent them with the first group. Per your orders.” Cora’s hand trembled on the lever. It was still up, though. Heavy boots pounded on stairs outside.
“Then there is still hope. Education lives in the mind.” Pounding on the door punctuated her words.
Cora looked at her, then looked at the lever.
Maribelle shook her head. Men’s voices outside called for an axe. She sat her tea down. She looked at the door. Three layers of planks. Vertical, with horizontal on the inside. Banded with steel.
The crashing made it hard to hear. She moved closer to Cora. “Remember. The lab first. Then the bridge. If we can save even one life by waiting, we wait.”
Cora nodded.